1. Approaches to Psychology

2. The Origins of Psychology
Experimentation through observation
Galileo used telescope to confirm predictions about the stars position and movement based on Copernicus work
Thoughts and dreams were sent by gods.
Greeks used observation as a means of knowing the world
Birth of Modern Psychology. Ideas about human behavior should be supported by evidence. Cells are the building blocks of life
Combined philosophers reflection logic, math with observation and inventions
Popularized ideas of dualism (mind & body are separate and distinct) Descartes disagreed

3. Historical Approaches

4. Structuralism: Elements of the Mind
Wilhelm Wundt- 1879, GE
The study of the most basic elements of the mind .
Content of mind into 2 categories: Senations & subjective feelings
Introspection- the method of exploring conscious mental processes by asking subjects to report their sensations and perceptions.
What are the structures of psychological process?

5. Functionalism: Functions of the Mind
William James- 1890, Harvard Univ.
The study of the function of the mind (how it works) in regards to consciousness.
Focused on how mental process help organisms adapt to their environment.
Behavior is learned and successful
What are the functions of behavior and mental process?

6. Inheritable Traits Sir Francis Galton, 19th century
Study how heredity influences a person character and trait.
Is a person environment determined by environment or heredity?

7. Gestalt Approach: Sensations VS. Perception
Max Wertheimer- GE
Emphasized that perception is more than reality. Perception gives us the whole.
Studied how sensations are put together into meaningful perceptual experiences.
Sensations affected by our experiences and our perceptions.

8. Modern Approaches

9. Psychoanalytic Sigmund Freud
Based on the belief that childhood experiences influence the development of later personality traits and psychological problems.
Stresses the influence of unconscious fears, desires, and motivations.

10. Behavioral
How organisms (humans) learn new behaviors or modify existing ones.
Largely experimented and proved by observation.

11. Behaviorism: Observable Behaviors
John Watson
Psychological experiments through observing subjects through different stages of life and consciousness.
B.F. Skinner
Used reinforcements to influence behavior

12. Humanistic Carl Rogers & Rollo May- 1950’s
Each individual has great freedom in directing his/her future.
Large capacity for achievement and personal growth.
Potential for self-fulfillment.

13. Cognitive Jean Piaget -1950’s
How we process, store, and use information.
How this information influences what we attend to, perceive, learn, remember, believe, and feel.
Behavior is influenced by a variety of mental process

14. Biological
How Physical and chemical changes in out bodies affect behavior
Do genes affect your intelligence?
Used PET & CAT scans to determine how genetics affects behavior

15. Sociocultural Leonard Doob
Influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and differences on psychological and social functioning.
Studies concerned with gender & economic status, why immigrants come to US.